Occupy Tampa – My first Protest…(Video)

On Thursday, October 6, 2011, I received an email notifying me that Occupy Sarasota was taking place near the Bank of America, on Main Street. I quickly prepared myself and ventured out to join and report. I arrived late. Most of the protesters had moved on, and perhaps 35 remained. I began taking photographs and listening to conversations.

Amidst a discussion between Guy Fawkes01 and a fellow protester, the subject of Ron Paul versus Obama had arisen. Guy Fawkes01 was expressing that Ron Paul seemed the only reasonable candidate for election. The woman adamantly disagreed, expressing contempt for Libertarians, and that after 8 years of Bush’s “bullshit”, Obama had introduced welcome changes. At this point I interrupted to inquire.

asked what changes she specifically admired, and in what ways Obama was markedly different from Bush (aside from articulate speeches). With undisguised irritation, she asked me if I was going to interrupt, or let her finish. I humbly silenced myself.

After she expressed her suspicion that Ron Paul supporters (“Libertarians”) would ultimately return to their Republican nature, and repeated without explanation that Obama was the right leader, I interrupted to ask again for details. I was asked which party I was partial to and who, in my opinion, was our best option.

I first expressed my concern regarding Obama’s concept of transparency, which has involved expanding secrecy, and severely punishing whistle-blowers, as well as his extension of the Patriot Act, other unconstitutional affronts against society, and, of course, his tender sympathy for bankers. I then admitted that I identified with no particular party, but that Ron Paul seemed the only reasonable possibility. At this point she said she wasn’t going to talk to a Libertarian, and abruptly walked away.